The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-10-08

never marry Mademoiselle Moran; but
ii it amuses the old people to talk OF
our betrothal, let them do II"
SO saved my conscience Once or
twice a week my father took me for
mally to call upon young Mademoiselle
Moran. The rest of the evening !
made love to my little Airline. She
lived with her old grandfather on an
upper floor in dismal street. but the
room was bright and clean enough,
and she was as pretty and as fresh as
rose.
Together we supped upon bread and
radshes, and claret. which l brought
with me in long bottle. Those were
delicious feasts. They were sweetcned
and favored by love. She did not
know that was rich man. She did
not care whether was rich or poor.
Neither of us looked far into the
future. We were young, and the pres
ent sufliced us. Whether we whisper
ed together in the little garrett or went
arm in arm to see play; whether we
walked through the gas-lit streets, OF
wandered on some summer holiday out
into the pleasant country-places-we
were as happy as the day was long
Meanwhile. Mile. Moran gave me her
polite attention when we met. and
made no objection whatever to our
parents plans.
Loving Airline as ! did, l was still
coward. You who have known me in
battle will perhaps think / belle myself,
but at one-and-twcnty / was moral
coward. despise myself as write,
but have promised to tell the truth. !
allowed matters to proc eed without
interruption, until at last l was form
ally aflianced to Mile. Moran. l
signed the marriage contract with my
own hand, then felt that could not
retrace my steps. Satan whispered in
my ear:
"What does it matterp Marry the
lady. Your little shop girl does not
know anything about you. Keep your
fortune and your sweetheart also"
managed my little affair so as to
avoid suspicion on both Sides Reckless
of the wrong was doing to two good
and pure young girls, / floated down
the stream toward my wedding day.
But Satan Away deserts his friends
at last A letter from my father, which
had recklessly carried about me, fell
from my pocket unseen by me one
night as parted from Airline.
She read it. Perhaps jehousy
prompted her; and she fancied that she
might have discovered rivals billet
doux. At all events she read 1t. and
learned from it all the truth. Charged
with It, l could not deny the facts
could only VOW that ! loved her and
her alone. Poor child As she listened l
saw all hope and sweetness die out OF
her face. White and despairing, with
her eyes dilating and her lips set hard,
she looked at me and said nothing.
she drowned herse If in the Seine that
night. and when next l saw her it was
upon marble slab in the Morgue, her
hands upon her breast, her hair falling
about her like black veil, my ring
upon her finger. My friend, l did not
marry Mile. Moran. Remorse over
whelmed me at last. / confessed all to
my father, broke my engagement and
leaving home and friends behind me,
enlisted in the army. | sought death.
Those who seek him he shuns. / was
called a brave man Who that Mated
life would not he brave ? When you
knew me ! wore the captains epaul'
cites.
l need not tell you of my soldier s
life or of the wounds by which l was
invalided.
Hearing of them. my father, who
had at last forgiven me, bestowed upon
me his pardon and gave me this little
place at ST. Sauveur. Here l have
| lived ever since, helpless, shattered
wreck, almost incapable of motion. II
is five years since | came here, and at
the end Of the second began the incrcd
ible part of my story.
My temper, as you know, was none
of the best, and hated the sight of man
: at times Greatly as l needed him.
often drove my attached old soldier
servant from me, and, one day, when
.l:. a1ona IN, fxraat